Depakote not metabolizing

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2007
Depakote not metabolizing
3
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 6:30pm

I have been taking Depakote now for about 4 months. In the last two months my moods have become increasing low and depression has set in, big time. I have noticed for the last two months that the meds seem to be present whole in my stool - sorry to be so gross. I never said anything to the pdoc thinking this was normal. Well, after a near break-down yesterday I told my mom about this problem. She told me to tell the pdoc ASAP. I called today and the nurse said this is not normal and my body is likely not absorbing the depakote. She is talking with the pdoc today and is going to call me back. Anyone else ever experienced this with Depakote?

Thanks for the input,
Jenny

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 9:23pm

Jenny,


When I was looking at Depakote earlier, I noticed a warning that coated particles may sometimes appear in stools--so that what you're seeing, I guess it's a matter of quantity.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2007
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 12:00pm
Thanks Marci. I went to the pdoc yesterday and she said the constant diahrea and whole pills in my stool are not normal. I'm going to blood work today. She actually reduced my depakote from 1250mg to 750 mg, to see if it eases my GI problems. She actually wanted me to smash 5 pills and put them in applesauce to get the meds that way. I told her I didn't think I could do that, it's hard enough just taking the 5 pills everynight. I'm curious to know if I even have much of the depakote in my system at all. I'm not talking about pill particles, I'm talking whole pills in the toilet every morning. Thanks for the advice. The pdoc gave me a bad time about not bringing this up before, she just made me feel worse.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 12:37pm

Yeah whole pills is a "whole" 'nother story.